African elephants, as the largest land mammals, play an important role in maintaining their habitat. They are grazers and browsers, eating large amounts of vegetation every day – which shapes the landscapes they live in.

The magnificent elephant is one of the most intelligent animals we know. They are highly social and have complex communication systems that include visual, tactile and olfactory signals.

The last 10 years have seen a surge in illegal trade in elephant ivory and trafficking levels remain high. Around 20 000 African elephants are poached every year, primarily for their tusks, but cases are emerging of meat and skin also being used. While South Africa’s populations have largely been spared to date, poaching has caused populations in other countries to decline. Wildlife trafficking also affects people living around our parks by exposing them to criminals connected to international criminal syndicates.

Across Africa, elephant habitat continues to be lost and fragmented as human populations grow and agricultural lands are expanded. This results in people and elephants increasingly coming into contact with each other, often resulting in human-elephant conflict where people’s lives and livelihoods are threatened.

We need your support to create a future for people and nature

Make a symbolic adoption of an elephant today to show your love and support for our wildlife and wild spaces in South Africa.

What is WWF doing?

We believe that communities have a critical role to play in addressing the illegal wildlife trade. Thus, we are building relationships between protected areas and communities by supporting partnerships between communities, NGOs and government institutions. These partnerships focus on improving the collective management of protected areas and equitable access to natural resources, and developing communities that are safe, healthy and have socio-economic opportunities.

We also recognise that a holistic approach to addressing wildlife trafficking is required. Thus, we are also supporting law enforcement authorities in South Africa and Mozambique to improve their wildlife trafficking prevention, detection and apprehension, and prosecution capabilities. We work with the countries’ law enforcement agencies and judiciary to ensure they have the needed tools, equipment, information, and training to implement government wildlife trafficking-related policies.

How does the symbolic adoption work?

First of all: thank you. You’re choosing something different. This is a special gift because it will help protect the beautiful and sometimes fragile environments that surrounds us – for both people and nature.

This is a perfect gift for animal lovers, environmentalists or simply people with a big heart.

What you get

Certificate

A digital symbolic adoption certificate.

Photograph

A beautiful digital photograph.

Cuddly toy

An optional soft toy to love forever. *Toy may vary from image shown.

Regular updates

We'll keep you updated on how you're supporting our vital work including sending you adoption updates two to three times a year.

Did you know?

African elephants are family-oriented animals.

African elephants have ears that are shaped like the African continent, while the Asian ones’ ears look like India!

Elephants can weigh up to 6 tons!

Female elephants remain with their natal group for life.